We can safely assume the Broncos have never had an offseason that ran the scale as this one. It began less than 24 hours in when cornerback Darrent Williams was murdered on Jan. 1.

It would get worse before it got better. Several coaches were fired or demoted.

The Broncos pulled off trades for cornerback Dre’ Bly and defensive tackle Dan “Big Daddy” Wilkinson, only to have those players balk at playing for a perennial playoff contender. They traded away quarterback Jake Plummer for a draft pick, only to essentially watch that deal melt into meaningless with Plummer’s retirement.

Incredulously, D-Will wasn’t the only Bronco player to die. Backup running back Damien Nash, who like Williams was 24, passed away from apparent heart failure.

More setbacks were found in the free-agent market where defensive end Patrick Kerney and quarterback Brad Johnson visited Dove Valley, only to sign elsewhere.

But finally, through remarkable perseverance, the Broncos’ offseason did get better. Some might even say that by signing running back Travis Henry and tight end Daniel Graham, the Broncos’ offseason was a success.

One thing is for sure: Never before has a Broncos’ offseason carried such an emotional gamut.